Chief Advisor directs each ministry to implement at least one recommendation of the task force

 

Professor Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to the interim government.

Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has instructed each ministry to implement at least one of the recommendations of the task force during the current interim government. The next meeting of the advisory council will be held to announce which recommendation will be implemented.

Members of the Task Force held a press conference on Monday to release the report of the Task Force on Economic Strategy Redefinition for Sustainable Development without Discrimination. Planning and Education Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud gave this information.

The press conference was held at the NEC conference room of the Planning Ministry. K.A.S. Murshid, head of the task force and former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), highlighted various aspects of the task force report.

The task force's report analyzed and made recommendations on various issues including the economy, banking, infrastructure, education, health and social security.

It was informed at the press conference that the task force report has recommended the formation of five new institutions as part of ensuring government services and reforms. For example, the Regulatory Reform Commission (RRC) should be formed. This commission will always work to change and amend laws and regulations. It has been recommended to divide Bangladesh Biman into two parts and manage one part with experienced foreign institutions. It has been asked to form a separate committee to supervise the activities of the National Board of Revenue (NBR). In addition, the report has also recommended the formation of a Center of Global Excellence and a Center for Social and Behavioral Change Communication and Research.

Planning and Education Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud said that it is difficult to access any government service, including land registration offices, police and health. Therefore, these services can be brought under social audit through citizen oversight.

KAS Murshid said, "We have been hearing about extortion for ages. But we could not do anything. We think that the Anti-Gun Squad (Gunda Prevention Committee) with the help of the local people will be quite effective."

Regarding the recommendation to stop student politics on campus, KAS Murshid said, "The influence of politics spreads among students, teachers also get involved. Ultimately, it leads to financial corruption. Why would there be party politics? Is there any in any civilized country? Students are active on various issues in the social and educational sectors. The government can reconsider the issue of stopping student politics. It can be said now, but it could not be said before."

Selim Raihan, another member of the task force, economist and executive director of private research institute SANEM, was also online at the press conference. He said that foreign investment will come if investment barriers can be removed. The previous government had promised to set up 100 economic zones. Some selected economic zones can be set up instead of all of them.

Apex Footwear Limited MD Syed Nasir Manjur has recommended the enactment of a bank bankruptcy law. He said the Financial Institutions Department of the Finance Ministry should be closed. Besides, an environment must be created to attract local investment before attracting foreign investment.

Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a private research organization, said that the Bank Company Act has been weakened during the previous government's tenure. Directors have been appointed to state-owned banks for political considerations. And family members have been included in the boards of directors of private banks.

BIDS Research Director Manjur Ahmed, BD Jobs Chief Executive Officer (CEO) AKM Fahim Mashrur, and others also spoke at the press conference.

On September 11, the interim government formed the Economic Strategy Redefinition Task Force for Sustainable Development without Discrimination. The task force was formed under the leadership of K.A.S. Murshid, former Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).